Memories of my grandfather in early 1900s

My grandfather, Hubert Charles Baldwin, born in 1879 lived in Tredworth Road adjacent to the railway level crossing (termed Painswick Road crossing by the Midland railway) from 1913 to 1962. He was brought up in Reservoir Cottages, Waterpools Lane (now Reservoir Road), and attended St Paul’s church as a boy. He was married at St James church in 1907. He was a musician, and was appointed as organist at the age of 17 to the church of the Good Shepherd, Derby Road (a chapel of ease of All Saints). He subsequently became organist and choirmaster at St James. He taught the piano and organ, and played in a number of bands, including the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars under the baton of Frank Dawes.

An edited version of his life-story with particular reference to Tredworth will follow.

Hubert’s great-grandfather John (born 1800) spent most of his life in Clapham (Suffolk Street), but moved to Barton Terrace towards the end of his life.

Another member of the family, Danny Baldwin was known in Tredworth as a hairdresser, but perhaps he was better known as running a betting shop from the upstairs room of his saloon at 88 High Street in the days before gambling was legal. I remember going there as a boy in the 1950s and sitting on a plank placed across the arms of the barber’s chair to make cutting my hair easier for the hairdresser. I also remember a continuous procession of punters coming into the shop and going upstairs to place bets.

 

Comments about this page

  • That’s wonderful thank you Christopher.  I wondered whether you have any photographs of your grandfather that we could scan and add to the page?  We’d be pleased to receive further information about Hubert if you are able to produce more information about his life.  Does anyone else have any memories of Hubert, or of Danny Baldwin’s hairdressing salon cum betting shop?

    By Paul Evans (15/09/2014)

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